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Article Type:
Editorial
Article History:
Received: 10 Dec. 2017
Accepted: 15 Dec. 2017
ePublished: 15 Dec. 2017
Keywords:
Acetic acid bacteria
Bacterial nanocellulose
BNC-based products
Komagataeibacter xylinus
Summary
Acetic acid bacteria (AAB) have been used in various fermentation processes. Of several ABB, the bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) producers, notably Komagataeibacter xylinus, appears as an interesting species, in large part because of their ability in the secretion of cellulose as nano/microfibrils. In fact, BNC is characterized by a native nanofibrillar structure, which may outperform the currently used celluloses in the food industry as a promising novel hydrocolloid additive. During the last couple of years, a number of companies worldwide have introduced some BNC-based products to the market. The main aim of this editorial is to underline the BNC potentials.
Acetic acid bacteria (AAB) have a long history of application in several fermentation processes. Their exploitation gradually emerged in biotechnological utilizations, particularly in the biosynthesis of beneficial chemicals and processes for manufacturing of several fermented food products. Taxonomic studies, from the traditional to polyphasic approaches, have gradually allowed an appropriate classification of several ABB into distinct genera and species. For instance, the bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) producers, notably Komagataeibacter xylinus, exemplifies them.1 These bacteria secrete cellulose as nano/microfibrils from a row of synthetic sites, along the longitudinal axis of the cell, which then merge to form larger cellulose ribbons. Under static culture conditions, these ribbons and associated cells, form a 3D-nanofibrilar floating pellicle that allows the non-motile, strictly aerobic bacteria to grow in the top oxygen-rich interface of the growth medium. Under agitated and/or aerated conditions, BNC is obtained in the form of fleeces with variable size. Compared to other sources, BNC is characterized by a native nanofibrillar structure, higher purity (as is deprived of non-cellulosic material) and a higher tensile strength. Also, it shows high moldability in situ, high water holding capacity and high crystallinity. The unique properties of BNC and, because of these, its wide range of potential applications, have been widely reported in the literature.2-4
Commercial exploitation of BNC has its roots in the Philippines, from as early as 1819, from an accidental discovery in Laguna, in which pineapple peels exploited in bleaching the pina cloth, was used as a culture medium for...